To Cairns – too K`aaarns – too Canes – too Cans – lets just go do a Lava Tube and Barrier Reef

Sooo much to do – Sooo little time - run out of bband and in time we will catch up in sequence.

On 7th did a fly out, an in and out at Sydney and on to to Cairns.

Right off the bat our first scheduled thingy in Cairns was canceled due to a road washout. The 'Flames in the Forrest' dinner and show. That's OK, had a great Curry dinner at the Banana Leaf on the Esplanade. On the 8th we did a 'Undara Lava Tubes' trip into the out back, where you travel about 4 hrs in each direction in a van. You do pass thru some special countryside from sugar plantations thru the Atherton Tablelands, rainforest and over the Great Dividing Range and onto the dry outback of the Gulf Savannah, with termite mounds and all. Had a good lunch out there. The Undara Natl. Park, they had a great guide, Levi, who toured us through the lava tubes. The return ride was long- but offset by a great meal of Bay Bugs and Fettuccine at the 'Red Ochre' in Cairns. Out to the 'Great Outer Barrier Reef' on the 9th, an all day affair, which should be done by everyone. A great experience starting on the Quicksilver a smooth trip out to a special docking platform at the reef at the edge of the continental shelf. Just call me the snorkel king. I enjoyed this very much in spite of the monkey suit and life jacket. It is quite beautiful. What you miss snorkeling you get on the semi-sub, a boat with ample glass area below the water that goes around some of the reef area. Top that off Christmas caroling in the park across from our hotel, then a pizza and a beer at 'La Pizza' to finish off the evening in Cairns. You couldn't ask for a better day. Now for some Pict's for these two days

Lets go Lava Tube exploring

One of the many Sugar Cane Plantations along the way

Easterly view from atop the 'Great Dividing Range"


Kangamoos at a wind farm - ya need to stay upwind

Not all the trees are green

The king inspecting his termite mounds - one of many

A renegade Mango tree growing in the Outback - unusual


Typical outback scene - What can I Say?


Wally - The Rock Wallaby- staying out of the heat


Looking down thru one of the many segments of a giant

and lengthy lava tube. Some found in excess of 30 km.


Looking up and out of another tube. Note the rainforrest

type trees found in the Undara Natl. Park in the Outback.

Great Barrier Reef Day

Cool blue water on way out to Edge of Continental Shelf.


King Snorkel in a monkey suit.

Ready or not - Here we go


Like a frog- it's not easy being blue

Below is six of the beautiful corall and fish in the reef shots from

the glass sided boat.It is much better than what these pictures show.

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Now back to Port Douglas on very placid water.


Doing Chrismas carols by candlelight in the park.